FEATURE ARTICLE

Onyinye OyedeleSaturday, July 29, 2017
[email protected]
Ontario, Canada

"UNSTOPPABLE POWERHOUSE" ATMOSPHERE OF WORSHIP WITH YEMISI IN TORONTO, CANADA(CONCERT REVIEW BY ONYINYE OYEDELE)

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he anticipation for the much awaited concert by Yemisi Ogunjimi, a Nigerian-Canadian gospel artist, had been building for months. Long hours of rehearsals and endless studio vocal training culminated on Saturday May 6th 2017, at Destiny and Dominion Ministries in Toronto. The event was a pre-album release of Yemisi's latest EP (extended play) CD titled "Great God."

Gospel music enthusiasts of diverse ethnicities trooped to the church in droves filling it to its maximum capacity. Church members, friends, family, and fans showed up for an atmosphere of eclectic praise and worship of the almighty God. Looking at the array of attires at the concert, a taste of Africa was notably splashed in the audience. On a chilly spring night, the concert was the perfect place to get some heat while you wriggled and jerked to the various rhythms.With Yemisi's infectious energy, we got a taste and flavour of her songs as she unloaded her treasures wrapped in that powerful unstoppable voice.

Also ministering at the concert; Dare David, a US based Gospel artist. Anne Ugobor, a worship leader. Michelle Sim, founder Northern Praise Ministries and also the woman who encouraged and showcased Yemisi in Canada as a dynamic gospel singer.

The evening began with the praise team arrayed in majestic white, dazzling as they led the audience in praise and worship before ushering in Yemisi who was ready to unload her passion for God. Like a hurricane she took charge of the stage and swirled the audience into God's presence.She roused the audience by asking, "What have you come here to do?" in a raspy voice to get the audience on their feet.

In the first interlude, she sang, "Praise Him", "Holy Captivated" and "Great God" a song she wrote. The tempo changed when she delved into "Nigerian praise" backed up by instrumentalists including a talking drum! Yemisi hopped on a "praise plane" and took the crowd to Africa with a variety of songs in local Nigerian languages.Afterwards, she sang, "Any Day" a song highlighting the return of the soon coming King.

The night also featured powerful vocalist, Pastor Rosie Cooke, who sang, "Name of Jesus. Michelle Sim sang, "Your Presence" in addition to a country style rendition. Dare David boomed "Bless the Lord." He brought a high current energy from the US, almost like a "Praise Tornado" as he pounded out African songs while waving his handkerchief in an indigenous way. Anne Ugobor, a worship leader with a sweet melodic voice sang, "One more praise" and "My praise/ Mma Mma."

One of the highlights of the night was when Yemisi's sons and friends blessed the audience through an instrumental worship medley on the piano. It was indeed remarkable to note that the young boys are also growing up with a passion for God and a love for music just like mom. In addition, her very supportive husband, Dr. Abiodun Ogunjimi gracefully took on the role of coordinating with the masters of ceremony and artists in managing the schedule for the evening.

In the second interlude, Yemisi and her team glowed and glittered in yellow-golden topaz to the glory of God.Yemisi belted out more songs, "Hallowed be your name" and "You're greater."Dare David featured again singing "For the Miracles" and led the congregation in a worship medley ushering the concert into its final phase.

The concert climaxed when all artists, worship team, and Yemisi graced the stage and took turns singing "Nobody greater." In as much as the song was obviously saying that God is indeed greater than all, it was also a show of encouragement, support, and camaraderie for all artists to come together and acknowledge that no artist is greater as they are all uniquely talented and gifted to be a blessing to the body of Christ. It was a collaborative effort as they worked with Yemisi to make "An Atmosphere of Worship" a memorable and lifechanging experience.

One can only wonder what this woman of God who started singing at the age of 13 in Nigeria will continue to do on the national and global stage in many years to come. She is indeed an unstoppable powerhouse who has ministered and continues to do so in multiple churches and diverse denominations across Canada, the US, the UK, the Caribbean, and Nigeria. Yemisi's first CD,"I can count on you" was released in 2004.

For more information, visit www.yemisimusic.com (to be revamped very soon)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YemisiOgunjimi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yemisimusic/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oluyemisiogunjimi/

You can purchase her tracks in Nigeria at https://www.spiricoco.com. They are also available at www.cdbaby.com, ITunes and other downloading platforms.

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